Muse of Nightmares

Gr 9 Up—Following directly after the acclaimed first novel in Taylor's lush series, Strange the Dreamer, this sequel finds the lovers Lazlo Strange, former librarian–turned-warrior, and his beloved, Sarai, thrown into an impossible situation. Lazlo, while trying to preserve the citadel of the Mesarthim, is unable to save Sarai from a terrible fall. Impaled on an iron gate, Sarai dies only to be brought back as a ghost by Minya, a child with the power to control the dead and a uncontrollable need for vengeance against the Seraphim who travel between multiple worlds wreaking havoc on the lives of lesser beings. Now they must all find a way to work together to free the worlds from the godlike Seraphim despite overwhelming odds. The author of the "Daughter of Smoke and Bone" trilogy has created an intricate universe that will both intrigue and repel readers. Unfortunately, the constant switching between scenes, points of view, and plot lines is confusing and somewhat detracts from what would otherwise be truly lovely world-building.